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was born at
Stamford, in
Lincolnshire, in the year 1663.
His parents, though they statedly attended the worship of the established church, were friendly to the principles of the Nonconformists; and accordingly, even at that period, when such a destination held out no flattering prospect, and might lead to bonds and imprisonment, they did not hesitate to devote their son to the
Christian ministry in that connexion.
For this purpose, after the usual preparatory course of grammar learning, he was sent, in 1678, to an academical institution conducted by
a Mr. Shuttleworth, at
Sulby, in
Northamptonshire.
For a short time he was admitted at Emanuel College,
Cambridge, and was afterwards transferred to the academy of
Mr. Doolittle, in the neighbourhood of
London.
Here he had greater advantages in the access to books, &c.; but there is reason to think that he was more indebted to his own personal exertions and private studies than to the instructions he received.
His tutors appear to have been worthy and conscientious, but narrow-minded men, of no superior talent or compass of thought.
He seems, however, to have speedily acquired reputation as a young man of acquirement and promise; for, in 1683, when only twenty years of age, he became chaplain to the
Countess
